Cutter for a metal window shade roller



Jan. 24, 1967 H. STEINGASS ETAL 3,299,754

CUTTER FOR A METAL WINDOW SHADE ROLLER Filed Jan. 29, 1965 a pf? United States Patent 3,299,754 CUTTER FOR A METAL WINDOW SHADE ROLLER Hermann Steingass and John P. Steyer, Baltimore, Md., assignors to Eastern Products Corporation, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Filed Jan. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 429,020 11 Claims. (Cl. 8298) The present invention relates to window shade cutters and more particularly to an improved cutter for window shades that employ metal tubular rollers to which the shade material is attached.

Prior known window shade cutters have been designed to cut wooden rollers. Such known devices are not suitable for cutting metal tubular rollers because the tubular rollers are usually made from a relatively easily deformable metal. In cutting a solid wooden roller, no adverse deformation occurs and the saw blade or lathe cutter usually produces a clean, even cut. However, the type of cutter blade employed for cutting wooden rollers would deform the metal tube during cutting and render it unsatisfactory.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a window shade cutting machine which will overcome the above as well as other problems.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a window shade cutting machine in which a manually operable roller cutter is employed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a machine in which a combined anvil and cutter cooperate to cut a metal, tubular roller without deforming the same.

Window shades employing metal rollers generally comprise a tubular roller each end thereof being closed by a plug of wood, plastic or other suitable material that has a pin fixed to it. In assembled relation, the pins act as trunnions, one being a nonrotatable pin and the other a key-type rotatable pin that is connected to the spring mechanism of conventional design within the tubular roller.

In one aspect of the invention, a window shade cutter may comprise a frame having longitudinally extending way means that supports a tailstock adapted to be adjustably fixed at any point along the way means. The tailstock includes a freely rotatable socket adapted to receive the key-shaped pin of the window shade. The end of the frame opposite that on which the tailstock is mounted may support a base on which a rotatable chuck may be mounted. The chuck may be driven by a motor through belt gearing, and it may include expansible and contractible jaws adapted to grip the nonrotatable pin end of a tightly wound window shade, the pin and the shade slat of which have been previously removed. The rotatable key of the window shade is mounted in the socket which permits freedom to rotate in the tailstock.

In another aspect of the invention, a bracket may be pivotally mounted on the base near the chuck end of the frame. It may support a fabric cutter and a metal tube cutter in axially fixed, spaced relation.' The fabric cutter may be a nonrotatable blade that itself is pivotally mounted on the bracket and which manually may be brought into contact with the fabric of the shade to make a razor-like cut down to the periphery of the tubular roller.

In still another aspect of the invention, the pivotal bracket may support an anvil which includes an open die construction adapted to encircle and contact a substantial portion of the metal tubular roller when the bracket is in its working position.

In a further aspect of the invention, a piercing and cutting blade may be pivotally attached to the anvil above the open die construction and it may be resiliently restrained against pivotal movement. A handle may be attached to the blade which is in line with the pivotal bracket when the latter is in its nonworking position. The construction is such that during the first portion of the-movement of the handle, the bracket pivots so that the open die of the anvil embraces and contacts the tubular roller. Continued movement of the handle in the same direction pivots the cutter blade so that it pierces the tubular roller diametrically opposite a point backed up by the anvil die.

Em important aspect of the invention has been the provision of a die that is open on one side so that it can engage a light gage metal tube by moving the die into a position in which it is disposed at an angle of with respect to the axis of the tube. A further important aspect of the invention has been the provision of a cutting blade which has a one-sided beveled cutting edge that converges to a sharp point. The sharp point penetrates the tube with a minimum amount of force and then shears the remainder of the tube with the sharp edges. The blade actually makes a single shear cut rather than the double shear cut which would be obtained with the usual blade. A double shear cut would produce a slug. The blade of the invention produces a clean-cut tube with a slight dimple and a distorted piece of scrap. With a conventional cutting operation, the tube would be more distorted, more cutting force would be required due to the double shear, and there would be a slug as well as a piece of scrap, the latter being the cut end of the tube.

The above, other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings which are merely exemplary.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a window shade cutter to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 2 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows along line 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with certain of the parts removed and certain elements shown in different positions from those of such elements in FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a window shade cutting machine comprising a frame 10. The frame 10 includes supports 11 and 12 at each end thereof, between which supports an angle member 13 extends, forming a troughlike way. A tailstock 14 may include a bracket 15 that slides along way 13, and a post 16 may be mounted in the bracket 15. Bracket 15 may include a viselike clamping means that is actuated by a screw and handle 15' for locking the bracket 15 at any position along way 13. Post 16 is adapted to support a boss 17 in which a shaft 18 is mounted. A rotatable socket 19 is connected to the shaft 18 for receiving the key-shaped pin at the spring end of a window shade 26.

A cast base 21 is fixed to support 12 from which a standard 22 extends. The standard 22 is provided with a bearing 23 at its upper end in which is journaled a sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 supports a ring 25 on its one face that is constrained to radial movement and is moved by a screw 26 that is attached to sleeve 24 by a bracket 27. The external threads of screw 26 engage threads in ring 25. Screw 26 may be hollow and have internal threads that receive a threaded stud 28 fixed to a jaw 29 that is retained in the plane of the drawing. Another jaw 30 is connected to ring 25 diametrically opposite the screw 26 and is also retained in the plane including jaw 29. Accordingly, rotation of screw 26 in one direction separates jaws 29, 30, and rotation in the opposite directions drawsthem together.

The sleeve 24 extends outwardly beyond bearing 23 in standard 22 and is connected to a pulley 31. A belt 32 connects pulley 31 to a pulley 33 on the output shaft of a drive motor 34. With the key-shaped pin of the window shade within the freely rotatable socket 119 of the tailstock 14, and the jaws 29, clamping the tightly rolled window shade 20, energization of motor 34 will rotate sleeve 24, ring 25, jaws 29, 30 and consequently the rolledup shade 20 held therebetween.

A lever 35 is pivotally mounted on a pin 36 that is mounted in base 21. Lever 35 includes a foot portion 37 at one end with an adjustable set screw 38 for a purpose to be described. A link 39 is pivotally mounted on pin 36 and it supports a housing 40 in which is located a nonrotatable blade 41. A handle 42' fixed to housing 40 permits movement of link 39 clockwise about pin 36 to bring the blade 41 into contact with the fabric forming shade 20. The blade is moved so as to cut through the layers of fabric until the blade 41 reaches the periphery of the metal tubular roller 42 on which the shade 20 is wound. With the excess length of fabric removed, the end of tubular roller 42 that supported such fabric is exposed.

An anvil 43 is fixed to the end of lever 35 opposite that containing foot portion 37. Anvil 43 includes an open die construction 44 that is semicircular in form and of a diameter to receive and engage the tubular roller 42. The construction of the anvil is such that upon pivoting lever 35 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to that of FIG. 3, where the adjustable set screw 38 strikes the bottom of base 21, the semicircular form of the die 44 embraces and contacts substantially 180 of the tubular roller 42.

A metal cutting blade 45 is pivotally mounted on a pin 46 that is fixed to anvil 43. Blade 45 is held on pin 46 by a nut 47 that compresses a spring washer 48 against the blade 45, thereby providing frictional resistance to its turning about pin 46.

The blade 45 may include a head 49 having a piercing portion 50 that is formed by a straight knife edge 51 joining an arcuate knife edge 52 at a point 53. The arcuate knife edge 52 extends away from point 53 to a point 54 adjacent a notch 55. The arcuate and straight knife edge portions 51, 52 are formed with a single transverse bevel, providing a cutting edge flush with the back face 56 of the blade 45.

A handle 57 is fixed to blade 45 and it serves to actuate both the lever 35 and blade 45. Withthe apparatus in the condition shown in FIG. 2, i.e., handle 57 in line with lever 35, counterclockwise movement of handle 57 causes the lever 35 to assume the position shown in FIG. 3, but with handle 57 still in line with it due to the frictional force developed by the spring washer 48. In this position, open die 44 embraces and contacts substantially 180 of the tubular roller 42. Continued counterclockwise movement of handle 57 acts to overcome the frictional force and to move the piercing point into contact with tubular roller 42 at a point midway of the backing-up surface of open die 44. Point 53 passes through the wall of tubular roller 42, and the knife edges 51, 52 sever the tube, making a clean, sharp cut with very little distortion of the tubular roller 42. This distortion amounts to no more than a small dimple at the point of entry.

In order to prevent inadvertent contact by the operator with the blade 45, a guard 58 is pivotally mounted on a pin 59 that is attached to lever 35. Guard 58 is located within an offset portion 60 of lever 35 (FIG. 1) so that its counterclockwise motion about pin 59 is limited by the contact between its bottom edge 61 and the offset 60. A spring 62 may have one of its ends anchored on lever 35 by a screw 63 and its other end connected to a pin 64 on guard 58. Normally, spring 62 maintains guard 58 in the position shown in FIG. 2 so that it eifectively covers the piercing point 53 of blade 45. As arm or lever 35 is moved counterclockwise about pin 36, the guard 58 is moved clockwise about pin 59 through its engagement with the tubular roller 42. This uncovers blade 45 as the die surface 44 of anvil 43 moves into contact with roller 42.

Prior to mounting the shade 20 between tailstock 14 and chuck jaws 29, 30, it is necessary to remove the nonrotatable pin and its supporting plug from the end of the roller 42 that is to be out. Referring to FIG. 1, the tailstock 14 may support an abutment member 65 having a central recess to receive the key-shaped pin of shade 20. The abutment member 65 may be resiliently urged to the right by a spring (not shown) within a boss 66 on tailstock 14.

An expansible and contractible collet 67 may be located within a tubular rack 68 that is mounted within a boss 68 on base 21, and in axial alignment with the abutment member 65. The boss 68 includes a stationary surface 69 against which the end of shade 20 abuts when the nonrotatable pin extends into the collet 67. Turning of hand lever 70 in one direction tightens collet 67 onto the shade pin. A handle 71 turns a pinion (not shown) within boss 68' that meshes with rack 68, causing collet 67 to move rightwardly (FIG. 1), thereby withdrawing the pin and its supporting plug. The stnucture just referred to is not required for rollers having an adjustable cup-shaped sleeve carrying the shade pin.

Tailstock 14 also supports a bracket 73 in line with a slot 74 in base 21 that is aligned with bracket 73. The slat of the shade 20 may be inserted through slot 74 until its end abuts bracket 73, after which a pivotally mounted cutter 75 may be used to sever the slat to the desired length.

Although the various features of the improved window shade cutter have been shown and described in detail to fully disclose one embodiment of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a window shade cutting machine, the combination comprising a frame; a tailstock mounted on said frame and adapted adjustably to be fixed to said frame at any point therealong; a rotatable chuck mounted on a base that is fixed to one end of said frame; said chuck being in line with said tailstock so that a window shade wound on a roller may be mounted between said tailstock and said chuck; means for rotating said chuck; a bracket pivotally mounted on said base; roller back-up means mounted on said bracket; roller piercing means pivotally mounted on said roller backup means; friction producing means for resisting relative movement between said roller backup and said roller piercing means; and a handle attached to said roller piercing means whereby said roller backup means is moved into operative position before said roller piercing means is moved relative to said backup means into operative position.

2. In a window shade cutting machine, the combination comprising a frame; a tailstock mounted on said frame and adapted adjustably to be fixed to said frame at any point therealong; a rotatable chuck mounted on a base that is fixed to one end of said frame, said chuck being in line with said tailstock so that a window shade wound on a roller may be mounted between said tailstock and said chuck; means for rotating said chuck; a bracket pivotally mounted on said base; a link pivoted to said bracket; a cloth cutter attached to said link; means for manually moving said cloth cutter into engagement with the shade on said roller; oppositely acting roller backup and piercing means mounted on said bracket for severing said roller; and a handle attached to said bracket for manually moving said oppositely acting means into and out of working position.

3. In a window shade cutting machine, the combination comprising a frame; a tailstock mounted on said frame and adapted adjustably to be fixed to said frame at any point therealong; a rotatable chuck mounted on a base that is fixed to one end of said frame, said chuck being in line with said tailstock so that a window shade wound on a roller may be mounted between said tailstock and said chuck; means for rotating said ohuck; a bracket pivotally mounted on said base; an anvil fixed to said bracket, said anvil including an open die construction adapted when said bracket is pivoted toward said chuck to embrace and contact a substantial peripheral portion of the roller supporting said shade; and a blade pivoted on said anvil, said blade including knife edge surfaces joined at a point, the pivot of said blade being arranged so that upon moving said blade about its pivot, said knife edge point pierces said roller at a point substantially midway of the portion of said roller that is contacted by the open die construction of said anvil.

4. In a window shade cutting machine, the combination comprising a frame; a tailstock mounted on said frame and adapted adjustably to be fixed to said frame at any point therealong; a rotatable chuck mounted on a base that is fixed to one end of said frame, said chuck being in line with said tailstock so that a window shade wound on a roller may be mounted between said tailstock and said chuck; means for rotating said chuck; a bracket pivotally mounted on said base; an anvil fixed to said bracket, said anvil including an open die construction adapted when said bracket is pivoted toward said chuck to embrace and contact a substantial peripheral portion of the roller supporting said shade; a blade pivoted on said anvil, said blade including knife edge surfaces joined at a point, the pivot of said blade being arranged so that upon movingsaid blade about its pivot, said knife edge point pierces said roller at a point substantially midway of the portion of said roller that is contacted by the open die construction of said anvil; and spring washer means acting on said blade to provide frictional resistance between said blade and said anvil.

5. In a window shade cutting machine, the combination comprising a frame; a tailstock mounted on said frame and adapted adjustably to be fixed to said frame at any point therealong; a rotatable chuck mounted on a base that is fixed to one end of said frame, said chuck being in line with said tailstock so that a window shade wound on a roller may be mounted between said tailstock and said chuck; means for rotating said chuck; a bracket pivotally mounted on said base; an anvil fixed to said bracket, said anvil including an open die construction adapted when said bracket is pivoted toward said o'huck to embrace and contact a substantial peripheral portion of the roller supporting said shade; and a blade pivoted on said anvil, said blade including a straight knife edge that joins an arcuate knife edge at a piercing point, the pivot of said blade being arranged so that upon moving said blade about its pivot, said knife edge point pierces said roller at a point substantially midway of the portion of said roller that is contacted by the open die construction of said anvil.

6, In a window shade cutting machine, the combination comprising a frame; a tailstock mounted on said frame and adapted adjustably to be fixed to said frame at any point therealong; a rotatable chuck mounted on a base that is fixed to one end of said frame, said chuck being in line with said tailstock so that a window shade wound on a roller may be mounted between said tailstock and said chuck; means for rotating said chuck; a bracket pivotally mounted on said base; an anvil fixed to said bracket, said anvil including an open die construction adapted when said bracket is pivoted toward said chuck to embrace and contact a substantial peripheral portion of the roller supporting said shade; and a blade pivoted on said anvil, said blade including a straight knife edge that joins an arcuate knife edge at a piercing point, said knife edges being formed by a single beveled surface providing a cutting edge flush with one face of said blade, the pivot of said blade being arranged so that upon moving said blade about its pivot, said knife edge point pierces said roller at a point substantially midway of the portion of said roller that is contacted by the open die construction of said anvil.

7. In a window shade cutting machine, the combination comprising a frame; a tailstock mounted on said frame and adapted adjustably to be fixed to said frame at any point therealong; a rotatable chuck mounted on a base that is fixed to one end of said frame, said chuck being in line with said tailstock so that a window shade wound on a roller may be mounted between said tailstock and said chuck; means for rotating said chuck; a bracket pivotally mounted on said base; a link pivotally mounted on said bracket; a cloth cutting blade attached to said link; means for pivoting said link in a direction to cause said cloth cutting blade to cut the shade on said roller; an anvil fixed to said bracket, said anvil including an open die construction adapted when said bracket is pivoted toward said chuck to embrace and contact a substantial peripheral portion of the roller supporting said shade; and a blade pivoted on said anvil, said blade including knife edge surfaces joined at a point, the pivot of said blade being arranged so that upon moving said blade about its pivot, said knife edge point pierces said roller at a point substantially midway of the portion of said roller that is contacted by the open die construction of said anvil.

8. An attachment for window shade cutting machines comprising in combination, a bracket adapted pivotally to be mounted on the base of a window shade cutting machine; a foot at one end of said bracket and an anvil at the other end thereof; an open die construction on said anvil adapted to receive and contact a substantial circumferential portion of a window shade roller; and a cutting blade pivotally attached to said anvil, said blade comprising knife edge means forming a piercing point and the pivot of said blade being arranged so that upon relative movement of said blade and said anvil toward each other, said piercing point approaches substantially the midpoint of said open die construction.

9. An attachment for window shade cutting machines comprising in combination, a bracket adapted pivotally to be mounted on the base of a window shade cutting machine, a foot at one end of said bracket and an anvil at the other end thereof; adjustable abutment means on said foot; an open die construction on said anvil adapted to receive and contact a substantial circumferential portion of a window shade roller; a cutting blade pivotally attached to said anvil, said blade comprising knife edge means forming a piercing point and the pivot of said blade being arranged so that upon relative movement of said blade and said anvil toward each other, said piercing point approaches substantially the midpoint of said open die construction; and spring means acting to produce frictional resistance between said anvil and said blade.

10. An attachment for window shade cutting machines comprising in combination, a bracket adapted pivotally to be mounted on the base of a window shade cutting machine; a foot at one end of said bracket and an anvil at the other end thereof; an open die construction on said anvil adapted to receive and contact a substantial circumferential portion of a window shade roller; a cutting blade pivotally attached to said anvil, said blade comprising knife edge means forming a piercing point and the pivot of said blade being arranged so that upon relative movement of said blade and said anvil toward each other, said piercing point approaches substantially the midpoint of said open die construction; and guard means pivotally mounted on said bracket, said guard means being resiliently urged toward a position abreast of said piercing point.

11. An attachment for window shade cutting machines comprising in combination, a bracket adapted pivotally to be mounted on the base of a window shade cutting machine; a foot at one end of said bracket and an anvil at the other end thereof; adjustable abutment means on said foot; an open die construction on said anvil adapted to receive and contact a substantial circumferential portion of a Window shade roller; a cutting blade pivotally attached to said anvil, said blade comprising knife edge means forming a piercing point and the pivot of said blade being arranged so that upon relative movement of said blade and said anvil toward each other, said piercing point approaches substantially the midpoint of said open die con struction; spring means acting to produce frictional resistance between said anvil and said blade; and guard means pivotally mounted on said bracket, said guard means being resiliently urged toward a position abreast of said piercing point.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 3/ 1960 Switzerland.

WILLIAM W. DYER, ]R., Primary Examiner.

HARRISON L. HINSON, Examiner. 

1. IN A WINDOW SHADE CUTTING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A FRAME; A TAILSTOCK MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND ADAPTED ADJUSTABLY TO BE FIXED TO SAID FRAME AT ANY POINT THEREALONG; A ROTATABLE CHUCK MOUNTED ON A BASE THAT IS FIXED TO ONE END OF SAID FRAME; SAID CHUCK BEING IN LINE WITH SAID TAILSTOCK SO THAT A WINDOW SHADE WOUND ON A ROLLER MAY BE MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID TAILSTOCK AND SAID CHUCK; MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID CHUCK; A BRACKET PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE; ROLLER BACKUP MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BRACKET; ROLLER PIERCING MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID ROLLER BACKUP MEANS; FRICTION PRODUCING MEANS FOR RESISTING RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID ROLLER BACKUP AND SAID ROLLER PIERCING MEANS; AND A HANDLE ATTACHED TO SAID ROLLER PIERCING MEANS WHEREBY SAID ROLLER BACKUP MEANS IS MOVED INTO OPERATIVE POSITION BEFORE SAID ROLLER PIERCING MEANS IS MOVED RELATIVE TO SAID BACKUP MEANS INTO OPERATIVE POSITION. 